12 Ways to Know If Someone Is Taking Advantage of Your Kindness
When you’ve been repeatedly taken advantage of, you tend to suspect everyone around you. And while you’re genuinely much more conscious, being kind comes with an unwanted side of being gullible. If you’re setting up new relationships, be it romantic or friendly, you’re probably worried about their sincerity. So here’s a look into ways you can recognize if someone’s taking advantage of you.
They Only Contact You When They Need Something
Isn’t this the most significant tell-tale sign of knowing someone is taking advantage of you? It might be challenging if you haven’t paid much attention to someone’s interactions with you, but we recommend going back and sifting through every interaction to see if it led to you helping them out or not. If you can’t find a single interaction where you didn’t help them out in some way, it means they’re taking advantage of you.
They Guilt You Into Saying Yes
We’re often pressured into doing things we don’t want by friends and family. It’s challenging to say no when you’re guilt-tripped, and even more so when they genuinely convince you to say yes because you owe it to them. They’ll justify your yes by counting old favors, talking about your bond, and implying you have no other option but to help.
They Never Offer Help In Return
Friends seek help from others, so it’s not too suspicious if someone’s frequently counting on you. But when they disappear anytime you need their support, they’re not your friend and are taking advantage of you. Such people will refuse to help and justify their actions with excuses every time, and even make you feel guilty for asking for help in the first place.
They Regularly Borrow Without Repayment
We’ve all counted on a friend to pull us out of a tight spot once or twice, right? But when it becomes a habit that never leads to repayment, things couldn’t be any more obvious: you’re being taken advantage of. If you’ve got a friend who’s always borrowing from you and never pays you back, even when they seem sorted, it means they genuinely don’t care enough to pay back their debts.
They Make Excuses For Their Behavior
Sincere people will always accept their mistakes and try to change for the better. On the other hand, people who make excuses for their behavior and try to snivel out of situations are insincere and selfish. They won’t care that their mistakes or actions cost you your trust or feelings because they were never genuinely supportive of you in the first place.
They Show Up Unexpectedly
Do you have a friend or a sibling who tries to strong-arm you into commitments by showing up unexpectedly? They’ll show up with the kids, expecting you to babysit or bring along their friends, hoping to pressure you into attending a social event, even when you explicitly say no. Showing up unexpectedly is a tactic to guilt someone into saying yes, which often happens when someone takes advantage of you.
They Sign You Up For Help
We all want to be independent, and sometimes, it’s hard. But if you have a friend who constantly pushes you to seek help even when you don’t want to, there’s a slight chance they’re not looking out for you. Such people seek a thrill from the humiliation of others. To them, being forced to accept help and sympathy is an enjoyable tactic that undermines your authority.
They Ignore Your Needs
We all have needs, but if yours are constantly overpowered by your friends, family, or partner, it means you’re being taken advantage of. While catering to someone’s needs all the time isn’t a healthy dynamic, there should still be some balance. But if you’re never having your needs met because the other person is ignoring them, you should take the hint and curb them.
They Expect Special Treatment
We all know someone who expects special treatment just because they think they’re entitled to it. Such people rarely have the compassion to care for other people’s comfort; they’re always thinking about themselves and how they could benefit themselves. If you know someone who’s always strong-arming you into giving them special treatment, it’s time to cut the cord and set boundaries.
They Dismiss Your Efforts
A sincere person never dismisses the efforts of the people around them. They’ll go out of their way to express their gratitude because they know your time and money are precious. On the other hand, insincere and selfish people will always dismiss your effort and make you feel like anything you’re doing is undeserving of appreciation and consideration.
They Bring Up The Past
The past is painful for many of us, but it is unbearable when we can’t escape it. If you know someone who’s always reminding you of past traumatic experiences that you clearly don’t want to remember, even after frequently communicating your wishes, then they’re not your friend. Throwing the past in your face is a tactic to keep you from standing up for yourself.
They Ignore Your “No”
We all struggle to say no, especially to close friends and family. But just because you share blood or spend years together doesn’t mean the people around you aren’t taking advantage of you. You’ll find out their true intentions anytime you try to set a boundary and say no. They’ll take your no as a joke and constantly try to change your mind.
More For You
Did you know having good friends can help you live longer? Studies show that strong friendships can lower stress, make you happier, and keep you healthier. Here are some simple reasons, backed by science, why your friends can help you live longer.
This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.
